40 Years of the PhD Programme in Peace and Conflict Research

The DPCR celebrates 40 years since the establishment of the PhD Programme in Peace and Conflict Research (DPCR). On 14 November 1985, the Faculty Board took the formal decision that laid the foundation for what has since become a vibrant, internationally recognised doctoral programme. Over four decades later, we celebrate not only this milestone decision, but also the remarkable scholars who have emerged from the programme and continue to shape research, policy, and practice around the world.

The Origins of a New Programme

The story of the DPCR begins in January 1985, when Peter Wallensteen was appointed professor by the Swedish government. Faced with the question of how to develop the new professorship, Wallensteen put forward a bold proposal: to educate PhD candidates within a new programme dedicated to peace and conflict research.

The proposal was not without resistance. Critics raised concerns that the field lacked methodology, was too narrowly defined, or relied on subjective boundaries. These objections became formative rather than obstructive. Methodology was made a central pillar of the programme, and the study of peace was reframed not as too limited, but as a field whose scope was broad, interdisciplinary, and deeply relevant.

The Faculty Decision of 14 November 1985

On 14 November 1985, the Faculty Board devoted considerable attention to the proposal, timing its decision to coincide with Wallensteen’s official inauguration as DH Professor. The outcome was decisive: a 14–1 vote in favour of establishing the programme.

The following day, 15 November 1985, Wallensteen was formally installed in a solemn ceremony in the university aula. The event attracted significant attention and included a symposium on peace research—retrospect and prospect. The faculty’s decision was widely discussed, underlining both the novelty and the ambition of the initiative. The first PhD candidates were admitted in January 1986, and the first doctoral defence took place in the autumn of 1992. By 1993, the earliest graduates were ready for the conferment ceremony, marking the programme’s successful transition from vision to reality.

Four Decades of Impact

Since its inception, the PhD Programme in Peace and Conflict Research has grown into a global scholarly community. Its graduates work across academia, international organisations, policy institutions, and civil society, contributing rigorous research and practical insight to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

As we celebrate this 40-year milestone, we honour all those who have earned their doctorate through the DPCR and take pride in their continued impact—both within and beyond the academy.

Looking ahead, we are delighted to anticipate the programme’s 70th doctoral thesis defence in January, a testament to its enduring vitality and relevance.